Ford is considering building the EcoSport and new generation Ka at is Craiova plant, in Romania, alongside the B-Max, from 2017.
Quoting “sources close to the factory“, local paper Ziarul Financiar states that the two models might increase vehicle production at the facility from the current 50,000 units annually to approximately 200,000 – still short of its 300,000 full capacity.
Officials declined to comment the story when contacted by AutoNews: “There is nothing new to be announced“, said Jim Farley, Ford of Europe President. “Craiova remains a very critical part of our operation. Expect the Ford team to be laser-focused on continuing to get most of the plant“, he added.
The Craiova plant currently produces the B-Max. Sales of the subcompact minivan were down 14 percent last year, to 46,315, while the Ka sold 48,603, down 8 percent. On the other hand, sales of the EcoSport on the Old Continent have tripled, to just over 40,000.
Ford started manufacturing vehicles in Romania in 2009. The first model to roll off was the Transit Connect light van, which has since been moved to Valencia, Spain. The plant is also responsible with producing the 1.0-liter EcoBoost and 1.5-liter EcoBoost engines for the B-Max and Mondeo respectively.
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